(September 26, 2011) Three lay missioners took their first vows as consecrated singles
in a ceremony held on Sunday at the Holy Rosary Church in the Indian capital New Delhi.
Archbishop Vincent Concessao who presided over a Mass at the Rosary Church said that
every Christian is called to be a missionary. About 250 Catholics, including relatives
of the newly ‘consecrated singles’ of Santvana community attended the multilingual
Mass, in which 12 priests also took part. Brother Kalyan Ekka and Sr Reena Kujur
of Jharkhand and Br Amit Paul of Assam took their vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
Bishop Concessao, gave each of them a ring, symbolic of their betrothal to Christ,
a lighted candle, a crucifix and a copy of the Santvana community Constitution. Santvana,
which means consolation is a lay movement started in 1989 by Fr. Dheeraj Sabu. The
community is formed by lay men and women who wish to be disciples of Christ, on the
path of love, building up and proclaiming His Kingdom, said Fr Sabu. The movement
focuses on programs of formation for evangelization, pastoral training for the laity,
correspondence courses, and mission initiatives in various Indian dioceses, he said.
During the Mass four married couples and three singles also took vows to become associate
members or collaborators of the community.